Introduction

10.1163/ej.9789004205604.i-272.5

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Chapter Summary

Swinburne has written extensive material on theodicy. His book Providence and the Problem of Evil . It consists of four main parts. First there is an introduction where the problem and central terms are defined. Swinburne then presents the good goals of creation that God wants to achieve. Part three deals with all types of evil, and to show that all evils are means to a greater good. Part four consists of some necessary additions to complete the theory. The following presentation of Swinburne's theodicy is based on this book and structured around the same four parts, beginning now with his introduction. Swinburne argues that most Christians need to construct a total theodicy, because without it, evil counts against the existence of God. Swinburne focuses on the goods of beauty, thought, feeling, action, and worship.